There is More to Broadway Than Just Musicals

The word Broadway conjures up images of musicals like OKLAHOMA!, LES MISERABLES or RENT. All are different forms of the same genre and all share common characteristics. By definition, a musical has a book, music and lyrics, but in the last several years, another form of musical theater has shared the spotlight--the special theatrical event.

The special theatrical event contains some of the traits found in a more traditional Broadway-style musical. It has music, sometimes lyrics but most don't have a book. Examples include the musical review, shows that feature performers like Dame Edna, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and non-traditional shows like the Blue Man Group, BLAST! and STOMP. Each has taken its turn on the Great White Way and has played to sold-out houses across the country.

Theatrical events have been around for years, but have never achieved the same level of notoriety as more classic forms of the musical. In 2001, the Tony Awards ® created a special event category in response to criticism to CONTACT winning the best musical award in 2000. Considered a "dance play", CONTACT featured no cast vocals, used recorded music and songs and minimal dialog. The show lacked all the ingredients found in a standard Broadway production. The theater world was not ready to classify the show as a musical, so the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing created a new award category, Best Special Theatrical Event.

The first winner in the new category was BLAST! in 2001. The show further stretched the boundaries of the genre by bringing the artistry and energy of the drumline to the stage. Since then, Broadway legends Elaine Stritch, Bea Arthur and Barbara Cook have shared the new category with Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam, Bill Maher and ventriloquist Jay Johnson giving credibility to this new genre.

The theater world has taken notice and now productions like CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY, MOVIN' OUT and STOMP receive the well-deserved critical acclaim their traditional counterparts have enjoyed for decades.

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